Universal/accessible design of the home from an occupational therapy and a construction perspective. This blog is part of a quest for cool, convenient, functional design that makes life safer, easier, and as maintenance-free as possible. It's about the lifestyle.

We
continue to whip count the votes and by almost everyone’s list,
including other stakeholders and legislators, the proponents of SB 248
are well short of the needed 56 votes to pass the bill. The House
Republican Caucus was going to finish discussing the issue today at
which point the leadership would have a good idea of the level of
support of the bill as reported out of committee. I have been told that
there will NOT be an attempt to move the bill this week. In fact, I
believe the industry and House leadership are quite uncertain as to its
next move. I suspect the Senate will begin muscling in again and may
try to match up budget strategies with certain provider groups when
they move the budgets bills slated for next week in the Senate.

Be
certain however, I see the Senate Majority Leader weighing in sooner
than later. I have not heard that the Governor has engaged yet, if he
even will.

Apparently,
Mayor Duggan is to announce his D-Insurance proposal today or in the
next few days with great fanfare in Detroit which would likely trigger
Senate action as early as next week on that issue. While I have not
heard anything to the contrary, the Detroit Delegation has not wavered
from its opposition to the Mayor’s proposal. If it does become in play
with movement in the Senate and over to the House, this does add a new
dimension to the discussion/strategies.

CPAN
continues to work thru the amendments needed to reach fair and balanced
reforms as it pertains to SB 248. We are reviewing all amendments and
making sure we keep our coalition process in place to advance CPAN
changes at the appropriate time. Timing remains the question with
varying opinions. Whether we can be successful in the reforms which
include meaningful rate reduction or rate regulation is still uncertain
as well.

Keep
up the hard work. Keep your clients and employees contacting House
members. We will let you know with as much advanced notice as we can the
need to return to Lansing. While I would not discourage anyone wishing
to come up, I am not sure at this particular point in time, it is the
best use of your time.